Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Lakeland property on Publix Road headed for November tax deed auction.
Happening soon: Gimme Gimme Disco on the Lakeland Patch calendar

Greetings Lakeland! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Lakeland property on Publix Road headed for November tax deed auction.
- What to expect at today's Lakeland Cardboard Boat Challenge.
- Know anything about this wanted Lakeland hit-and-run suspect?
Also on today's calendar: Elite K9 Service and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: An afternoon t-storm; humid, with a high of 89 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: Cloudy, a thunderstorm; humid, temps: high: 84, low: 70.
- Monday: Showers and t-storms possible, with a high of 87 and low of 66 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Tax Deed 237-2026 (midfloridanewspapers.com) — A Polk County tax deed has been requested for the property at 3703 Publix Road in Lakeland, which could be sold at online auction if back taxes aren't paid. Unless the 2024 tax certificate is redeemed, the parcel will be auctioned November 19, 2026, through the county's realtaxdeed website, with payment due to the Polk County Tax Collector.
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2. Annual Cardboard Boat Challenge Sets Sail on Lake Hollingsworth Saturday (lakelandgazette.info) — Lakeland families can head to Lake Hollingsworth today for the annual Cardboard Boat Challenge and Lakes Festival, running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event, hosted by the City of Lakeland and LE/AD, features community, youth, and family teams racing homemade cardboard boats, offering plenty of photo-worthy splashes and a fun way to celebrate local lakes.
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3. Lakeland Man Wanted After Fleeing Fatal Motorcycle Crash, Polk County Deputies Say (tampafp.com) — Polk County deputies are asking Lakeland residents to help find 30-year-old Carlos Alberto Escobar Gonzalez, a Lakeland man wanted in a fatal hit-and-run crash at Wabash Avenue and Parker Street West. Investigators say he pulled his SUV into a motorcyclist's path, then fled on foot and abandoned the vehicle nearby. Anyone with information can contact Detective Tidwell or Heartland Crime Stoppers.
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4. Frank Lloyd Wright's Restored Planetarium Reopens at Florida Southern College (architecturalrecord.com) — Lakeland residents can once again visit Frank Lloyd Wright's restored 75-seat planetarium at Florida Southern College, now reopened for public and educational use after decades of limited activity. Housed in the historic Polk County Science Building, the circular dome space is part of the world's largest single-site collection of Wright-designed structures, all within easy reach on the college's West Campus.
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5. Four Hours, Four Portraits: Florida Art Masters Live Portrait Competition Kicks Off Oct. 10 in Lakeland (lkldnow.com) — Lakeland art lovers can watch four artists create live portraits this Saturday at Notta Gallery in the opening heat of the Florida Art Masters competition. The free event launches a multi-round series centered on Lakeland's growing arts scene, supports a Central Florida breast cancer nonprofit, and will feature local survivors as portrait models while showcasing the city's creative community.
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📸 Around Lakeland
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Gimme Gimme Disco →
Union Hall, 1023 Florida Avenue South, Lakeland
8:00 pm
Saturday October 10
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Elite K9 Service →
2502 Leaning Pine Ln, Plant City
9:30 am - Gimme Gimme Disco →
Union Hall, 1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
8:00 pm - STEM Challenge →
Florida Children's Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland
10:30 am - Story Sprouts →
Florida Children's Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland
10:30 am - Mini Masterpieces →
Florida Children's Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland
11:30 am - Puerto Rico es Bomba →
Florida Children's Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland
12:30 pm - Film: Carrie →
Polk Theatre, Lakeland
4:00 pm - Lakeland Camellia Society Monthly Meeting →
2120 Sylvester Rd, Lakeland
6:45 pm - AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) →
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland
6:00 pm - Rant Rounds! (Stand Up On The Spot) →
The Stage Room, 310 E Lemon St, Lakeland
9:00 pm - Broadway Rave →
Union Hall, 1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
8:00 pm
Saturday October 10
Sunday October 11
Tuesday October 13
Thursday October 15
Friday October 16
Saturday October 24
📣 Lakeland Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Lakeland PatchAM possible:
- Lakeland Comedy LLC. — 8633475276
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- That cat house has been built!
The hero of the day was Ruth who was the one and only person that came to help. Within the matter of 45 minutes or so she had it put together just as… (Nextdoor Goodyear/Universe) - Be very careful on here.
People try to get your information don't ever give out Social Security number or you're full address especially not your banking information.. you… (Nextdoor Hampton Hills)
- Dollar General posted a job opening for TEAM MEMBER - pOpshelf in LAKELAND FL S24305 in Lakeland. Apply here.
- Pizza Hut - Flynn Group posted a job opening for Shift Leader in Lakeland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeland here.
Ok Lakeland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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